Surrounded by quiet lakes, tumbling streams and miles of untouched forest, the community of Marmora is a perfect vacation spot, particularly for those with a taste for the outdoors. Marmora is nestled in a region of eastern Ontario known as "Comfort Country," about three hours from both Toronto and Ottawa. Whether you want to explore remote hiking trails, catch a few fish or simply relax beside a peaceful lake, Marmora has you covered.

Catch the Big One

Marmora is less than 2 miles from Crowe Lake, a man-made reservoir along the Crowe River, The lake boasts excellent fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish, with numerous offshore weed beds, rocky structures and drop-offs that hold fish. Shore access and boat launch facilities are available at Booster Park and Glen Allan Park, both minutes away from Marmora. Boats are permitted with unlimited horsepower on the lake. Nearby Belmont Lake and Round Lake offer similar fishing opportunities, and the Crowe River can be productive for smallmouth bass, walleye and trout. A current Ontario fishing license is required, which you can get through the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Website and at most bait and tackle shops across the province.

Ramble on the River

The Crowe River is great for fishing, but it also presents paddling opportunities for canoes, kayaks and float tubes. For the most part, the river is placid and easily navigable, with deep pools and long, uninterrupted stretches of free-flowing water. Those in search of a challenge can find moderate to challenging whitewater in the class III to class IV range around the Crowe River Fish Hatchery and the Crowe Bridge Playspot. Access is available at both sites. Paddling is also available at several other streams in the area, including Beaver Creek and the Gull River. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at Adventure Outfitters, about an hour west of Marmora.

Hit the Trail

While you can certainly explore a lot of Marmora and the surrounding area in a car, many of the region's best-kept secrets are off the beaten path. Numerous trails in and around Marmora allow hikers and cyclists to explore a lot of areas that you can't get to by road. One of the easiest routes is the Brian Goodchild Memorial Trail, a wheelchair-accessible path that is open to hiking and cycling and provides numerous views of the Crowe River along its 2-mile course. The Marmora Crowe River Trail is significantly more rugged, providing a good day's exercise along with views of the tumbling water and remote forests. Accessible from Highway 7 and McLeary Road, the trail connects to the Trans-Canada Trail System, a vast network of trails that stretches across the country.

Camp Out

Squeezing all that Marmora has to offer into a single day is a tall order, but you can extend your stay overnight at several campgrounds in the area. Glenn Allan Park, on the shore of Crowe Lake, provides tent and RV campsites ranging from primitive to full-hookup sites that include water, sewer and electricity. The shady, secluded campground includes picnic tables, campfire rings and restroom facilities, all within footsteps of the lake. A few miles east of Marmora, additional accommodations are available at the Marmora KOA campground, which includes primitive tent sites, full-hookup RV sites and rustic cabins. If you prefer more modern lodging, several hotels and motels in Marmora provide a place to spend the night.

References

About the Author

Richard Corrigan has been a full-time professional writer since 2010. His areas of expertise include travel, sports and recreation, gardening, landscaping and the outdoors. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from SUNY Geneseo in 2009.